Remembrance Day

Today, Canadians all across the country gathered in communities large and small to remember the men and women who have served us in war. This year’s ceremonies took on added meaning, given both recent events and the 100th anniversary of World War I.

One hundred years ago today, Canadians had not yet seen action during the First World War, but thousands of them were stationed at Salisbury Plain in England, receiving further military training after shipping out from Canada early in October. Then as now, wherever Canadians travelled in large enough numbers, hockey wasn’t far from their minds!

The news story above appeared in papers all across Canada on November 19, 1914. It outlines plans for a hockey team in the Canadian camp. It’s unclear as yet if they ever actually played any games, though sports competitions took place regularly during training. Among those listed as taking part is future Hockey Hall of Famer Scotty Davidson.

Scotty Davidson had captained the Toronto Blue Shirts to the Stanley Cup in March of 1914 before becoming the first pro hockey player to enlist in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in August. If you’re interested in more on Davidson’s war story, and those of other future Hockey Hall of Famers, click here for the original text of a story I wrote that is currently appearing in the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Legend’s magazine.

3 thoughts on “Remembrance Day”

VERY cool Eric!! I think getting a hockey teamm together would bolster the soldiers’ spirits….they would have needed that release I am sure!
I have heard of Scotty Davidson….thank you for sharing his story.
Remembrance Day was special this year; YOU were there!
Sherri-Ellen T-D.

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